Disability, Accessibility & The Psychology of Style - "Madam, in My Experience People in Wheelchairs Prefer not to be Noticed" & Other Misconceptions

Last year at NAIDEX, the disability equipment show in Birmingham, Fiona, Founder of Blue Badge Style, spoke about the importance of style when understanding the needs of someone with a disability. It never ceases to amaze that medical professionals don't see this as a critical factor in a person's well being! This is very much the manifesto and raison d'etre of Blue Badge Style - 'style and disability are not mutually exclusive'. Faced with no control over your body this is the one area you can influence and is of utmost importance, whatever the disability, whatever the style! The video of an extract from the NAIDEX speech can be seen here.

Why Personal Style is Important to People With/Without Disabilities.

How do you feel when someone admires your car, loves your shoes, thinks your home is beautiful? Happy, proud, self confident??

Compliments “tell a person they are worthy of notice”, additionally style is an " expression of your character and spirit, a conviction that you are worth knowing, worth looking at" ( Psychology Today).

The Car is Not Just a Mode of Transport Otherwise We'd All Drive The Same Model at Lowest Price

Women's Shoes Are an Expression of Style & Not Just Fashion and a Person's Home is The Ultimate in Self Expression

True style is a very personal thing, not a magazine-look, or a designer label, or a fashion item, nor does it have to cost money. Style, self esteem, mental and physical health are all widely accepted as being linked. 

(However, too much self esteem can be bad….see Donald Trump).

Using the examples above the pictures below are the reality of living with a disability. How does this make you feel when,

You're Suddenly Disabled & Your Mercedes is Replaced With a 'Model T Ford' From The Last Century

Your Favourite Designer Shoes Are Replaced With Rubber Soles & Velcro

Your Beautiful Garden Becomes a Ramped Skate Park

The Sanctuary of Your Bathroom is Replaced With '70's Style Hospital Equipment

Perceptions of Disability

There are not just the self esteem issues that come with disability but the perceptions of those around you. Being disabled does not make you a Paralympian neither does it mean you want the equipment on offer or want to stay at home hidden away. Research carried out in the Blue Badge Style community found that:

• Disability Equipment is perceived as 'old fashioned' & 'not fit for purpose'.
• Cupboards are full of redundant ‘stuff’ & equipment that doesn't do the job.
• Discrepancy in prices means that disability consumers feel ‘ripped off’.
• Shopping is a military operation and there is no ‘buzz’ in going out to buy something new.

People's Perceptions of Scooters Are 'Old Age' Mobility Aids......Rather Than Vespas in Rome!

Our research also found that 75% would pay a premium for stylish, well designed mobility/disability equipment. Current equipment is often over specified and there is no 'consideration of style' in the decision process of occupational therapists. Consequently, cool designers can’t get their products made as they're not recognised as suitable equipment.

Cool Designs are not Produced as Not on the OT Specified List! E.G. The 'Chop' Bench is a Great Design, Kitchen Worktop That Holds Food Securely for Unsteady Hands.

The Flamingo Stick, Looks Good, Does the Job But Not on the List!

Further perceptions of disability are highlighted by the comments our readers have reported:

• A manager at a mobility shop "madam, in my experience people in wheelchairs prefer not to be noticed” March 2017.
• "I want the most expensive crutches you can find”, reader comment 2017.
• "When I was a kid I had a cool wheelchair now it’s boring black”, Trailblazer comment 2015.
• "Disability equipment looks like it belongs in the Marquis de Sade’s basement”, Designer Robin Lieven.

Read more here on how this translates to the 'Built Environment'.......